Confused HSV1 on genitals

[Abigail121212]

My doctor has just diagnosed me with genital HSV-1 after having some tests done due to discomfort in that area.  He began telling me in a positive manner that the results were back and its wasnt Chlaymdia, Gonorrea or Siphilla but it was only HSV-1.  I was in shock but he played it down and said I was fortnuate that it wasnt HSV-2 and 98% of the population suffer from it but mainly on the mouth.  As I was in shock, I didnt really get a chance to ask many questions so I am hoping that someone can help me please?

1) Is it preferred to have HSV-1 on the genitals rather than HSV-2
2) How do I go about telling new partners or should I just stay single
3) Would most people run a mile after learning this (not sure I myself would stick around if vice versa)
4) If its the same virus as coldsores, then shouldnt the people who have them disclose this to new sex partners before performing oral sex?
5) Is it true that it isnt necessary to disclose this if you havent had an outbreak in one year?  Afterall, 98% of the population have it anyway?  However, I do feel a moral sense of duty to tell partners before having unprotected sex.
6) How do other people cope with this?  Has it made a lot of difference to their life?

Im not sure if I am overacting but am feeling very anxious at the moment

[gracefromHHP]

The herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com is a terrific resource to learn more at. It mainly is aimed at hsv2 but it also covers hsv1 genital infections for more info.

grace

[Abigail121212]

Ok thanks for replying slacker101.  I have been going out of my mind here!

[slacker101]

oh ok... You said discomfort so I was thinking it was just some pains and aches or something. So you had an Ulcer type of lesion and he took a swab. As far as your questions, if it is HSV1, you are definitely better off than haveing HSV2. HSV1 will give you fewer outbreaks and doesn't shed as much as 2 and since most people already have HSV1 anyhow, they are immune from catching it again so that is a plus. Believe it or not, you MAY only have  a few more outbreaks  and never have another one again which is common or you may get them a few times a year. Either way, it isn't going to occur as much as HSV2. Life isn't over so relax :).

[Abigail121212]

he took a swab from my vagina - it wasnt a blood test altho Im not sure what an IGG or IGM test is!

[slacker101]

I am kind of suspicious of something. Let's assume he does an IGG Test on you and it comes back positive. It doesn't mean it is genital herpes. He really doesn't know if it is HSV1 of the mouth or genitals unless you have genital outbreaks in which case it would make sense. I am curious as to what discomfort you are talking about..  From what you wrote, I am not sold you have genital herpes but that is based on not knowing more of what sorts of discomfort you are talking about. If it's just pain down there and he did a herpes test, doesn't mean it is genital herpes. Just means you have HSV1 and you might of had it for a LONG time! I am assuming he did an IGG or at the minimum IGM Test since you didn't mention anything about lesions in which case they would have taken a sample. Give us more to work with here...